Instrument-activated sub-surface computer buttons and system and method incorporating same

ABSTRACT

The present technique provides a system and method for providing instrument-activated buttons having a sub-surface mechanism for triggering a desired function upon interaction with an above-surface electronic/digital user device, such as a digitizing pointing device. The instrument-activated buttons may be disposed in a display device, a tablet computing device, or any other suitable electronic device. A user navigates a housing surface of the electronic device until a signal identifies the sub-surface button, which may then be activated by performing an instrument-based activation event. The activation event may be a button click, a tip movement, or any other suitable trigger on the electronic/digital user device. A wireless communication is then transmitted between the sub-surface mechanism and the electronic/digital user device to initiate the function associated with the instrument-activated button.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present technique relates generally to computer systems and,more particularly, to user input buttons for a portable computingdevice. The present technique provides a system and method for providinginstrument-activated buttons having a sub-surface mechanism fortriggering a desired function upon interaction with an above-surfaceelectronic/digital user device, such as a digitizing pointing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Computer systems and other electronic devices often have one ormore buttons to initiate a desired function. For example, computersystems generally have a keyboard, a number keypad, and a plurality ofspecial function buttons. All of these buttons are activated by physicalcontact, such as a vertical displacement by a fingertip. In portablecomputers and electronics, buttons are relatively vulnerable toaccidental physical contact due to the compact dimensions of the devicesand, also, due to the relatively small size and tightly packedarrangement of the buttons. In many portable computer systems, systemcritical buttons are disposed in a recess, a slot, or an area remotefrom the user input devices (e.g., keyboard). For example, a systemreset button may be recessed within a small slot, such as a pen hole.However, these system buttons remain vulnerable to accidental physicalcontact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present technique provides a system and method for providinginstrument-activated buttons having a sub-surface mechanism fortriggering a desired function upon interaction with an above-surfaceelectronic/digital user device, such as a digitizing pointing device.The instrument-activated buttons may be disposed in a display device, atablet computing device, or any other suitable electronic device. A usernavigates a housing surface of the electronic device until a signalidentifies the sub-surface button, which may then be activated byperforming an instrument-based activation event. The activation eventmay be a button click, a tip movement, or any other suitable trigger onthe electronic/digital user device. A wireless communication is thentransmitted between the sub-surface mechanism and the electronic/digitaluser device to initiate the function associated with theinstrument-activated button.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Exemplary embodiments will hereafter be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denotelike elements, and:

[0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tablet computersystem having a tablet computing device, a multi-attachable keyboard, adigitizing pointing device, and a multi-configurable docking assembly;

[0006]FIG. 2a is a bottom view of the tablet computing device;

[0007]FIGS. 2b-2 e are side views of the tablet computing device;

[0008]FIG. 2f is a top view of the tablet computing device;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a top view of the tablet computing device illustratinginteraction between the digitizing pointing device and one of multipledigitizer buttons within the tablet computing device;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a partial internal perspective view of the tabletcomputing device illustrating a digitizer assembly for the digitizerbuttons illustrated by FIG. 3;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the digitizer assemblyillustrated by FIG. 4;

[0012]FIGS. 6a and 6 b are cross-sectional side views of the digitizingpointing device illustrating internal circuitry and switch mechanismsfor interaction with the digitizer assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tablet computing deviceexploded from a rotatable and pivotal mounting assembly on themulti-attachable keyboard;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tablet computing devicemounted to the multi-attachable keyboard and rotated about the mountingassembly to an intermediate position adjacent a keypad;

[0015]FIG. 9a is a bottom view of the multi-attachable keyboard;

[0016]FIGS. 9b, 9 c, and 9 e are side views of the multi-attachablekeyboard;

[0017]FIG. 9d is a top view of the multi-attachable keyboard;

[0018]FIGS. 10a-10 c are side views illustrating an exemplary tabletdocking process for docking the tablet computing device with themulti-configurable docking assembly;

[0019]FIGS. 11a-11 c are side views illustrating an exemplarytablet-keyboard docking process for docking a tablet-keyboard assemblyof the tablet computing device and the multi-attachable keyboard withthe multi-configurable docking assembly;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the tablet computing devicedocked with the multi-configurable docking assembly in a substantiallyupright portrait orientation;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a side view of the multi-configurable docking assemblyconfigured in a generally horizontal portrait orientation;

[0022]FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the multi-configurabledocking assembly illustrating exemplary communications ports, ahandle/docking release assembly, and a rotational adjustment assembly;

[0023]FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating therotational adjustment assembly and hinge/clutch assemblies of anorientation adjustment arm for the multi-configurable docking assembly;

[0024]FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional face view of the rotationaladjustment assembly illustrated by FIG. 15;

[0025]FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the multi-configurabledocking assembly configured in a generally upright landscapeorientation;

[0026]FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the multi-configurabledocking assembly configured in the generally upright landscapeorientation illustrated by FIG. 17;

[0027]FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the multi-configurabledocking assembly configured in a generally horizontal landscapeorientation;

[0028]FIG. 20 is a side view of the multi-configurable docking assemblyconfigured in the generally horizontal landscape orientation illustratedby FIG. 19;

[0029]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a protective display coverexploded from an external device mounting structure on a side of thetablet computing device;

[0030]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the protective display coverreleasably mounted to the tablet computing device via reversiblecoupling structures of the protective display cover;

[0031]FIG. 23 is a top view of the protective display cover releasablymounted to the tablet computing device;

[0032]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the protective display coverexploded from a pair of interlock structures on a side of themulti-attachable keyboard, which is releasably coupled to the tabletcomputing device in the tablet-keyboard assembly configurationillustrated by FIGS. 11a-11 c;

[0033]FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the protective display coverreleasably mounted to the tablet-keyboard assembly via the reversiblecoupling structures; and

[0034]FIG. 26 is a top view of the protective display cover releasablymounted to the tablet-keyboard assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present technique is directed toward a tablet computer systemand, more specifically, systems and methods for automatically switchingviewing orientations of a display in response to physical rotation ofthe display. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tabletcomputer system 10 of the present technique. In this exemplaryembodiment, the tablet computer system 10 comprises a tablet computingdevice 12, a multi-attachable keyboard 14, a digitizing pointing device16, and a multi-configurable docking assembly 18. The foregoingcomponents are intended to provide a relatively flexible andmulti-configurable computing system, which allows multiple angular,elevational, and orientational positions of the various components ofthe table computing system 10. Accordingly, a user may select thedesired components and adapt the tablet computing system 10 to a desiredenvironment, such as a variety of home, work, and mobile environments.Although not illustrated, the tablet computer system 10 also maycomprise a variety of additional components and peripherals, such as aprinter, a scanner, a digital camera, an external monitor, and variousother input/output devices.

[0036] As illustrated, the tablet computing device 12 has a housing 20,which has a display screen assembly 22 disposed in a top side 24 of thehousing 20, a plurality of computing components and circuitry disposedwithin the housing 20, and the multi-attachable keyboard 14 removablycoupled to a bottom side 26 of the housing 20. The display screenassembly 22 may comprise any suitable flat panel display screentechnology, including a variety of screen enhancement, antireflective,protective, and other layers. The display screen assembly 22 also mayhave touch panel technology, digitizer panel technology, and variousother user-interactive screen technologies. As discussed in detailbelow, the digitizing pointing device 16 interacts with a digitizingpanel disposed in the top side 24 of the tablet computing device 12. Thedigitizing panel may be disposed below, within, or adjacent the displayscreen assembly 22. In this exemplary embodiment, the digitizer panelextends to a peripheral area of the display screen assembly 22, wherethe tablet computing device 12 defines digitizer-activated buttons fordesired computing functions. The tablet computing device 12 also maycomprise a variety of user interaction circuitry and software, such asspeech-to-text conversion software (i.e., voice recognition) andwriting-to-text conversion software (e.g., for the digitizing pointingdevice 16). Accordingly, a user may interact with the tablet computingdevice 12 without a conventional keyboard or mouse.

[0037] The computing components disposed within the tablet style housing20 may comprise a processor, a motherboard, volatile and nonvolatilememory (e.g., a hard drive, RAM, ROM, flash memory, cache memory, etc.),network circuitry (e.g., a modem, a network card, etc.), wirelesscommunications circuitry (e.g., IR, RF, optical, blue tooth, and othertechnologies), input/output ports, audio/video circuitry, and variousother circuitry, components, and component receptacles/bays. Forexample, the tablet computing device 12 and the multi-attachablekeyboard 14 may comprise wireless communications circuitry, such as RFcircuitry, such that a user may interact with the tablet computingdevice 12 remotely. Moreover, the tablet computing system 10 maycomprise a wireless microphone or wireless voice recognition headset tofacilitate wireless user-interaction.

[0038] The multi-attachable keyboard 14 is attachable/detachable to thetablet computing device 12 in a variety of operable and storagelocations, such as the storage location illustrated by FIG. 1. In eachoperable and storage location, the multi-attachable keyboard 14 also maybe attachable/detachable in multiple orientations, which may bepositionally securable or movable by a linear or rotational positioningassembly. However, the present technique provides a variety ofattachment alignment structures to prevent undesirable or destructivecoupling, or movement, of the tablet computing device 12 and themulti-attachable keyboard 14. In the storage attachment configuration ofFIG. 1, the multi-attachable keyboard 14 may be coupled to the bottomside 26 of the tablet computing device 12 in a variety ofconfigurations, such as keyboard-side facing inward or outward from thebottom side 26. However, in this exemplary embodiment, the tabletcomputing device 12 and the multi-attachable keyboard 14 compriseintercoupling structures to position and align the multi-attachablekeyboard 14 such that the keyboard-side faces inward toward the bottomside 26. Accordingly, buttons and other physically movableuser-interaction components of the multi-attachable keyboard 14 areprotected in the stored keyboard position illustrated by FIG. 1. Inoperable configurations, the keyboard-side of the multi-attachablekeyboard 14 is accessible during user-interaction with the displayscreen assembly 22 of the tablet computing device 12.

[0039] The tablet computing device 12 and the multi-attachable keyboard14 are jointly or separately attachable to the multi-configurabledocking assembly 18 at a support section 28, which is movably coupled toa base section 30. As described below, the support section 28 is movableto a variety of angles, elevations, and orientations to enhance theuser's interaction with the tablet computing device 12. For example, thesupport section 28 is rotatable between portrait and landscapeorientations and between horizontal and upright orientations. The tabletcomputer system 10 also comprises a screen orientation switchingmechanism, which may operate automatically or manually to switch thedisplay orientation of the display screen assembly 22 between portraitand landscape orientations. Accordingly, as discussed in further detailbelow, the multi-configurable docking assembly 18 may trigger a displayorientation switch automatically upon moving the support section 28between the portrait and landscape orientations, while the tabletcomputing device 12 is disposed in the docked configuration. Thisautomatic switching mechanism reduces the user's tasks and ensures thattext/images are always displayed in an upright/readable orientation forthe user regardless of the physical orientation of the tablet computingdevice 12.

[0040] The tablet computing device 12 is further illustrated withreference to FIGS. 2-5. As illustrated by FIGS. 2a-2 f, the tabletcomputing device 12 has a variety of computing components and circuitry,input/output ports, functional buttons, status indicators, securitymechanisms, component attachment mechanisms, component receptacles, andexpansion slots. Although specific features and components are describedin detail below, the present technique may utilize any suitabletechnology or components.

[0041]FIG. 2a is a bottom view of the tablet computing device 12. Asillustrated, the bottom side 26 has a plurality of component bays, suchas bays 32, 34, and 36, which may house a battery, a hard drive, memory(e.g., RAM), or any other desired devices. The tablet computing device12 also may have one or more device lock/release mechanisms to secureinternal and external devices, such as the multi-attachable keyboard 14,a display screen cover assembly (see FIGS. 21-23), a carrying handle, abattery, removable memory, or other such components. As illustrated, thetablet computing device 12 has an internal device lock/release mechanism38 for one or more of the components disposed within the bays 32, 34,and 36. The tablet computing device 12 also has an external devicelock/release mechanism 40, which is operable to lock and release themulti-attachable keyboard 14, a protective display screen cover (seeFIGS. 21-23), and other desired devices with external device mountingstructures on the tablet computing device 12. Component test buttons andstatus indicators also may be provided to analyze one or morecomponents, such as the components internally or externally secured tothe tablet computing device 12 via the mechanisms 38 and 40. Forexample, the tablet computing device 12 has a component test button 42and status buttons 44 and 46, which may be configured for analyzing thebattery, the keyboard 14, or any other desired device.

[0042] As mentioned above, the computing device 12 is configured for astand-alone or a docked configuration in a plurality of orientations,such as portrait and landscape orientations in various angles relativeto a support surface. For example, the computing device 12 comprises aplurality of feet to mount the computing device 12 onto a desiredsurface, such as a desktop, a wall, a user's lap, or any other supportsurface. In this exemplary embodiment, the tablet computing device 12comprises rubber feet 48 and 50 and adjustable feet 52 and 54, which maycomprise any suitable height adjustment and locking mechanism (e.g., aflip-up mechanism with a slot-tab securement structure). For a dockedconfiguration, the tablet computing device 12 comprises a dockingconnector 56 and a docking latch structure 58, which are intercoupleablewith mating connector and latch structures on the multi-configurabledocking assembly 18. As noted above, the tablet computing device 12 alsomay comprise one or more mounting alignment structures, such as dockingalignment slots 60 and 62, which are intercoupleable in a singlealignment orientation with mating alignment structures on themulti-configurable docking assembly 18. Similarly, alignment structures64 and 66 may be disposed on the bottom side 26 of the tablet computingdevice 12 to align the keyboard 14, or other face-mountable devices, ina proper mount orientation with the tablet computing device 12.Moreover, the keyboard 14 or other face-mountable devices may beremovably intercoupled with the bottom side 26 via the docking latchstructure 58 or an edge-based latch mechanism.

[0043]FIG. 2b is a side view of the tablet computing device 12illustrating such an edge based latch mechanism. As illustrated, thetablet computing device 12 has external device mount structures 68 and70, which may comprise elongated slots having internal latch mechanisms.For example, the external device lock/release mechanism 40 may be movedto position slot-housed hook members between released and latchedpositions. Again, the tablet computing device 12 may have one or moreattachment alignment mechanisms, such as alignment structures 72, 74,and 76, to ensure the proper attachment orientation of the externaldevice, such as the multi-attachable keyboard 14 or a protective displaycover. Accordingly, the alignment structure 72 is paired with theexternal device mount structure 68 and the alignment structures 74 and76 are paired with the external device mount structure 70, such that asingle mount orientation is supported. The tablet computing device 12also may have one or more input/output ports, such as communicationsport 78, in an accessible position relative to the external device mountstructures 68 and 70. Accordingly, an external device mounted to thetablet computing device 12 is able to communicate with the tabletcomputing device 12 via the communications port 78, which may compriseany suitable port. For example, the port 78 may be a serial port, aparallel port, a USB port, a wireless port, an optical port, or anyother desired port. The port 78 also may comprise hot-pluggingtechnology to facilitate attachment and detachment during operation ofthe tablet computing device 12.

[0044] The tablet computer system 10 also may comprise a variety ofsecurity devices, such as one or more Kensington locks, for physicallysecuring the various components to a desired fixture. For example, eachof the components illustrated by FIG. 1 may comprise a security slot,which is intercoupleable with a cable lock. Moreover, the components ofthe present technique may comprise multi-stage locks that provide anoption to intercouple the components jointly or separately to a desiredfixture using a single lock mechanism. As illustrated by FIG. 2b, thetablet computing device 12 has a lock mechanism 80, such as a Kensingtonlock slot. The multi-attachable keyboard 14, the digitizing pointingdevice 16, and the multi-configurable docking assembly 18 may havesimilar lock mechanisms.

[0045] As illustrated by FIG. 2c, the tablet computing device 12 alsocomprises a plurality of audio circuitry, such as audio ports 82, 84,and 86 and speakers 88 and 90. For example, the audio ports 82, 84, and86 may comprise a headphone port, a cell phone port, and a microphoneport, respectively. The tablet computing device 12 also may comprise avariety of video circuitry, such as a video input port, a video outputport, and video processing circuitry for display on the display screenassembly 22 or an external monitor.

[0046] The tablet computing device 12 also may have one or morecommunications port panels, which may be exposed or concealable by aremovable port panel cover. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 2d, thetablet computing device 12 has a flexible port panel door 92, which isrotatable away from the tablet computing device 12 to provide access toone or more communications ports or devices, such as serial, parallel,USB, or other ports. The flexible port panel door 92 also has a toolfree latch mechanism 94, which removably couples a movable portion ofthe door 92 to the tablet computing device 12.

[0047] As illustrated by FIG. 2d, the tablet computing device 12 alsomay have a variety of edge-based component bays or receptacles, such ascomponent receptacles 96, 98, 100, and 102. For example, the componentreceptacle 96 may house a PCMCIA device, such as a network card or anaudio/video card. The component receptacle 98 may support a memory card,such as flash memory or other desired memory. In the illustratedembodiment, the component receptacle 100 houses a desired attachment forthe digitizing pointing device 16, which is removably storable in thecomponent receptacle 102. For example, a tether attachment may beremovably disposed in the component receptacle 100.

[0048] The tablet computing device 12 also has a variety of powercontrol and management features. As illustrated by FIG. 2d, the tabletcomputing device 12 may have one or more external power connectors, suchas power connector 104, to support AC or DC power sources. The tabletcomputing device 12 also may have one or more power control buttons,such as power button 106, which may provide on/off, reset, and otherpower functionality. A power status and battery level indicator also maybe incorporated into the tablet computing device 12. Moreover, one ormore of the digitizer buttons described below may be associated withpower management functions and software.

[0049] As mentioned above, a user may interact with the tablet computingdevice 12 without a conventional keyboard or mouse. As illustrated byFIG. 2e, the tablet computing device 12 may have a variety of controlbuttons, menu scroll and select mechanisms, and integral pointingdevices to facilitate user interaction without an externaluser-interaction device. For example, as illustrated, the tabletcomputing device 12 comprises a jog dial 108 and functional buttons 110,112, 114, and 116. The jog dial 108 may be used to scroll through asoftware menu, pages of text, or other displayed media. The functionalbuttons 110-116 may have default hardware or software functions, whichthe user may program to perform any desired hardware or software task.For example, the functional buttons 110-116 may operate as an ESC key, aTAB key, a CRL-ALT-DEL key combination, a RETURN key, a mouse key, orany standard or special key.

[0050] In this exemplary embodiment, one of the functional buttons110-116 triggers a personal information manager, while another one ofthe functional buttons 110-116 triggers a quick utilities menu. Thepersonal information manager may comprise a variety of user informationand user settings, such as a personal calendar, a phone/address book, ane-mail system and log, a phone system and log, user configurationsettings, a user document folder, a personal diary, and any otherdefault or user-selected personal information. The quick utilities menu(i.e., “Q” Utilities) provides access to a variety of software andhardware settings in a quick, or short, menu-based format. Accordingly,the quick utilities menu may list hardware and software items, such aswireless functionality, video output, volume control, mute control,brightness control, contrast control, display orientation functionality(e.g., option to switch between portrait and landscape orientations),power properties, quick menu properties, properties of the tabletcomputing device 12, properties of the keyboard 14, properties of thedigitizing pointing device 16, properties of the docking assembly 18,and a variety of functional buttons, such as PrintScreen,Alt+PrintScreen, and Clt+Alt+Del. The foregoing personal informationmanager and quick utilities menu also may be triggered by an icondisplayed on the display screen assembly 22, by one of the digitizerbuttons described below, by a button on the digitizer pointing device16, by a button on the keyboard 14, by wireless control, by voicecommands, or by any other suitable user interaction mechanism.

[0051] As illustrated by FIG. 2f, the display screen assembly 22generally consumes the top side 24 of the tablet computing device 12.However, the tablet computing device 12 may have a variety of statusindicators and user interaction devices disposed about the perimeter ofthe display screen assembly 22. In the illustrated embodiment, thetablet computing device 12 has status indicators 118, 120, and 122,which may comprise LED illuminable icons corresponding to the desireddevices. For example, the status indicators 118, 120, and 122 maycorrespond to wireless activity, an AC or DC power source, a low batterylevel, network connectivity, a system error, processor activity, or anyother desired status or activity. The illustrated embodiment also has amicrophone 124 disposed in a peripheral portion of the housing 20.Moreover, as described in detail below, the tablet computing device 12comprises a plurality of digitizer-activated buttons, such asdigitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130, which are activated bythe digitizing pointing device 16. The foregoing digitizer-activatedbuttons may be associated with any desired hardware or softwarefunctions, such as a screen rotation function, a system status changefunction (i.e., on/off, reset, logoff, standby, etc.), a dock/undockfunction, a user-interaction mode (e.g., keyboard, voice recognition,digitizer write-to-text conversion, etc.), a software executionfunction, a hardware configuration function, or any other suchfunctions. For example, the foregoing digitizer-activated buttons maytrigger one or both of the personal information manager or the quickutilities menu described above.

[0052]FIG. 3 is a top view of the tablet computing device 12illustrating interaction between the digitizer-activated buttons 126,128, and 130 and the digitizing pointing device 16. As illustrated, thedigitizing pointing device 16 has a tip 132 and one or more buttons,such as select button 134, to facilitate user interaction with thedigitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130. The operation of thedigitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130 and the digitizingpointing device 16 is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4-6. FIG. 4 isan internal perspective view of the tablet computing device 12illustrating the digitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130. Asillustrated, a digitizer panel 136 is disposed below, within, orintegral with the display screen assembly 22.

[0053] The digitizing pointing device 16 interacts with the digitizerpanel 132 throughout the dimensions of the display screen assembly 22for coordination, selection, writing, and other user-interaction withsoftware displayed on the display screen assembly 22. The digitizerpanel 132 and the digitizing pointing device 16 may comprise anysuitable digitizer technology, such as electric field, ultrasonic, radiofrequency, infrared, electrostatic, electromagnetic, or any otherexisting or emerging technologies. The digitizer panel 132 and thedigitizing pointing device 16 may operate by one-way or two-way signaltransmissions, in either direction, between the digitizer panel 132 andthe digitizing pointing device 16. In this exemplary embodiment, thedigitizing pointing device 16 may transmit a wireless signal, which issensed by the digitizer panel 132 to coordinate the location of thedigitizing pointing device 16. The digitizing pointing device 16 alsomay transmit one or more secondary signals to trigger a select functionor any other desired function. For example, a click of the tip 132 orthe button 134 may transmit a secondary signal, which triggers a desiredfunction.

[0054] The digitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130 are provided ina peripheral region 138 of the digitizer panel 136, which has activebutton regions 140, 142, 144 defined for each of the buttons 126, 128,and 130, respectively. Each of these active button regions 140, 142, and144 is associated with a desired hardware/software function, such as adefault or user-defined function. The digitizer-activated buttons 126,128, and 130 also may comprise indicators, such as LEDs 146, 148, and150, which may be illuminated upon triggering or close proximity of thedigitizing pointing device 16. For example, one of the LEDs 146-150 maylight up when the tip 132 of the digitizing pointing device 16 is near adesired one of the active button regions 140-144, such that a subsequenttriggering event will activate the desired button. The digitizer panel136 and the indicators 146-150 communicate with a motherboard 152 of thetablet computing device 12 via connectors 154 and 156, respectively.

[0055] In operation, the digitizing pointing device 16 may trigger oneof the digitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130 by touching the topside 24 of the housing 20 above the desired active button region. Again,the indicators 146-150 may light up when the digitizing pointing deviceis close enough to activate the desired button. Alternatively, thedesired active button region may be selected by engaging a switchmechanism in the tip 132 of the digitizing pointing device 16 (e.g., bytapping the tip 132), while the tip 132 is disposed above the desiredactive button region. The desired active button region also may betriggered by depressing a button, such as button 134, on the digitizingpointing device 16. The digitizing pointing device 16 also may have aseparate button for each of the digitizer activated buttons 126, 128,and 130, such that the desired button may be activated remotely simplyby depressing the appropriate button on the pointing device 16. Anyother suitable button-triggering mechanism is also within the scope ofthe present technique.

[0056] As described above, the functional components of thedigitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130 are disposed within thehousing 20, such that the triggering mechanism is entirely remote fromsuch functional components. As such, the digitizer-activated buttons126, 128, and 130 are relatively more durable and long lasting thanconventional buttons, which require physical contact directly on thebuttons. Moreover, the digitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130 arenot subject to accidental activation by a user, such as withconventional physical buttons or touch panel buttons.

[0057]FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tablet computingdevice 12 in the housing region of the digitizer-activated buttons 126,128, and 130. As illustrated, the display screen assembly 22 comprises atransparent cover panel 158, which extends over a bezel-structure of thehousing 20 between the cover panel 158 and the active button regions140-144 and LEDs 146-150. As mentioned above, the LEDs 146-150illuminate button icons, or other insignia, in the transparent coverpanel 158 upon triggering or active-positioning of the digitizingpointing device 16 relative to the respective active button regions140-144. Accordingly, the transparent cover panel 158 may beback-painted with one or more materials, such as antireflective or ARcoatings, while the button icons or insignia are differentiated todefine the digitizer-activated buttons 126, 128, and 130.

[0058]FIGS. 6a and 6 b are cross-sectional views of the digitizingpointing device 16 illustrating internal switch mechanisms for the tip132 and the button 134. As illustrated, the digitizing pointing device16 comprises an elongated housing 160 having a threaded end cap 162, athreaded battery section 164 coupled to the cap 162, and a threadedelectronics section 164 coupled to the battery section 164. The threadedelectronics section 164 comprises electronic circuitry 168, which ispowered by a battery 170 that is biased against the electronic circuitry168 by a spring 172. As illustrated, the electronic circuitry 168comprises a printed circuit board 174 having digitizing communicationscircuitry, a switch 176 for the button 134, and a spring-loaded switch178 for the tip 132.

[0059] In this exemplary embodiment, the digitizing pointing device 16generates a signal that is received and processed by the digitizer panel136. For example, the digitizing pointing device 16 may be a digitizerpen produced by FinePoint Innovations, Inc. of Tempe, Ariz. Inoperation, the signal transmitted from the digitizing pointing device 16identifies the location of the tip 132 relative to the display screenassembly 22 (and subsurface digitizer panel 136), thereby facilitatingpointer movement and drawing functions on the display screen. Thedigitizing pointing device 16 also may be used to select items, tointeract with system software, to activate virtual buttons on thescreen, to activate digitizer buttons, or to perform a variety of otherfunctions. For example, one or more special signals may be transmittedfrom the digitizing pointing device 16 upon activating the switch 176 orthe spring-loaded switch 178. Although the illustrated digitizingpointing device 16 is described as a signal-generating digitizer device,any suitable pen and panel digitizer system is within the scope of thepresent technique. For example, the signal may arise in the digitizerpanel 136 rather than the digitizing pointing device 16.

[0060] The multi-attachable keyboard 14 is further illustrated withreference to FIGS. 7-9, which illustrate various features and mountingstructures of the keyboard 14. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of thetablet computing device 12 exploded from a tablet mounting assembly 180of the multi-attachable keyboard 14. As illustrated, the tablet mountingassembly 180 comprises a mounting bar 182 having a pair of protrudinglatch members 184 and 186, which are intercoupleable with the externaldevice mount structures 68 and 70 of the tablet computing device 12. Thelatch members 184 and 186 and the mount structures 68 and 70 maycomprise any suitable interlock and release mechanisms. However, in theillustrated embodiment, the protruding latch members 184 and 186 areoriented in a common direction, such that the latch members 184 and 186and the mount structures 68 and 70 are intercoupleable in a single mountorientation. The mounting bar 182 also has a communications connector188 that is connectable with the communications port 78 of the tabletcomputing device 12. In operation, the communications port 78 andconnector 188 transmit communications between the tablet computingdevice 12 and the keyboard 14. However, the tablet computing device 12and the keyboard 14 also may communicate via a wireless communicationssystem, such as a radio frequency communications system. In eithercommunications configuration, the foregoing unidirectional orientationof the latch members 184 and 186 ensures that the tablet computingdevice 12 and the multi-attachable keyboard 14 are intercoupled in theproper orientation.

[0061] The tablet mounting assembly 180 also comprises a tabletpositioning assembly 190, which may have a rotatable disk structure 192movably disposed within a top side 194 of the multi-attachable keyboard14. As illustrated, the mounting bar 182 is coupled to an outer portionof the rotatable disk structure 192, such that the mounting bar 182 isrotatable with the rotatable disk structure 192 between a rear portion196 and an interior portion 198 of the multi-attachable keyboard 14. Theinterior portion 198 is advantageously disposed adjacent a user inputsection 200 of the keyboard 14. The user input section 200 may comprisekeyboard buttons, a pointing device, and a variety of otheruser-interactive features. Accordingly, the tablet computing device 12is rotatable to the interior portion 198, such that the display screenassembly 22 faces the user input section 200 for simultaneous use ofboth the tablet computing device 12 and the keyboard 14, as illustratedby FIG. 8.

[0062] The mounting bar 182 is also hingedly coupled to the rotatabledisk structure 192, such that the tablet computing device 12 is pivotalbetween an upright orientation and a parallel orientation relative tothe keyboard 14. In the parallel orientation, as illustrated by FIG. 1,the user input section 200 is disposed between the keyboard 14 and thebottom side 26 of the tablet computing device 12. However, the presenttechnique also may provide a reverse attachment mechanism, whichpositions the display screen assembly 22 toward the user input section201 in one or both of the upright and parallel orientations. In theupright orientation, the tablet computing device 12 is pivotal to thedesired viewing orientation, as illustrated by FIG. 8.

[0063] The multi-attachable keyboard 14 is further illustrated withreference to FIGS. 9a-9 e, which are top and side views of the keyboard14. As illustrated by the bottom view of FIG. 9a, the keyboard 14 has aplurality of support members, such as rubber feet 202, 204, 206, and208. The keyboard 14 also has a plurality of dock mount structures tofacilitate mounting of the keyboard 14 with the multi-configurabledocking assembly 18. The following dock mount structures may compriseany suitable male/female guide mechanism, latch mechanism, color coding,labeling, or other features to ensure that the user assembles componentsof the tablet computer system 10 properly.

[0064] In this exemplary embodiment, the keyboard 14 has a dock mountorientation slot 210 and pass through slots 212, 214, 216, and 218,which allow the keyboard 14 to rest deeper within the support section 28than the tablet computing device 12. In a docked configuration, the dockmount orientation slot 210 is positioned about a dock mount orientationstructure 220, which protrudes from the support section 28 illustratedby FIG. 1. The dock mount orientation structure 220 also has a dockingconnector 222, which is communicatively coupleable with the dockingconnector 56 of the tablet computing device 12 in the dockedconfiguration. Accordingly, the dock mount orientation features 210 and220 ensure that the keyboard 14, or an attached assembly of the keyboard14 and the tablet computing device 12, docks with the multi-configurabledocking assembly in the proper orientation. The dock mount orientationslot 210 also allows the docking connectors 56 and 222 to pass throughthe keyboard 14 and connect.

[0065] In the docked configuration, the pass through slots 212, 214,216, and 218 of the keyboard 14 are positioned about docking guide tabs224, 226, 228, and 230 (e.g., rubber tabs), respectively. The presenttechnique provides additional guides for the tablet computing device 12,which has the docking alignment slots 60 and 62 illustrated by FIGS.2a-2 e. The tablet computing device 12 does not have pass through slotsfor the docking guide tabs 224-230. Accordingly, the docking guide tabs224-230 operate as positional offsets for the tablet computing device12. In the docked configuration, the docking alignment slots 60 and 62of the tablet computing device 12 pass through docking guide tabs 232and 234 of the support section 28, as illustrated by FIG. 1. Theasymmetrical positioning of the docking alignment slots 60 and 62 andthe docking guide tabs 232 and 234 ensures a proper docking orientationof the tablet computing device 12.

[0066] Returning now to FIG. 9a, the multi-attachable keyboard 14 alsomay have one or more lock/release mechanisms, such as those describedwith reference to the tablet computing device 12 of FIGS. 2a-2 e. Forexample, the keyboard 14 may have an external device lock/releasemechanism 236, which may be moved to either engage or disengage one ormore device interlock structures. As illustrated by FIG. 9b, interlockstructures 238 and 240 may be disposed along an edge of the keyboard 14for releasable attachment with an external device, such as a protectivedisplay screen cover (see FIGS. 24-26). The keyboard 14 also may haveattachment orientation guides, such as guides 242, 244, and 246, tofacilitate a proper attachment orientation of the external device to thekeyboard 14. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 2b,the foregoing guides 242, 244, and 246 may be disposed asymmetricallyrelative to the interlock structures 238 and 240 to limit attachment toa single orientation. Accordingly, the guides 242-246 preventundesirable or destructive attachment orientations.

[0067]FIGS. 9c-9 e are top and side views of the keyboard 14 furtherillustrating features of the keyboard 14 and functionality of the tabletmounting assembly 180. As illustrated by FIG. 9c, the mounting bar 182is pivotally coupled to the keyboard 14 via a hinge assembly 248, whichmay comprise any suitable pivotal or rotatable mechanism. Wiring for thecommunications connector 188 extends through the hinge assembly 248,such that the wiring twists about an axis of the hinge assembly 248rather than actively bending. Referring to FIG. 9d, the wiring thenenters an inner receptacle of the rotatable disk structure 192, which islimited to a desired range of angular rotation (e.g., 180 degreesbetween the rear portion 196 and the interior portion 198 of thekeyboard 14). Accordingly, the present technique prolongs the life ofthe wiring by minimizing bending of the wiring in the hinge assembly 248and the rotatable disk structure 192.

[0068] As illustrated by FIG. 9d, the user input section 200 of thekeyboard 14 comprises an array of keyboard buttons 250, a pointingdevice 252, select buttons 254 and 256 for the pointing device 252, anda plurality of status indicators, such as a caps lock LED 258 and anumber lock LED 260. The keyboard 14 also may have one or more keyboardlock/release mechanisms, such as lock/release mechanism 262. Thelock/release mechanism 262 is disposed on a front edge 264 of thekeyboard 14, as illustrated by FIGS. 9d and 9 e. The lock/releasemechanism 262 is operable to engage or disengage latches 266 and 268with mating latch mechanisms on an external device, such as the tabletcomputing device 12. For example, the latches 266 and 268 areintercoupleable with mating latch structures 270 and 272 on the bottomside 26 of the tablet computing device 12, as illustrated by FIG. 2a.Accordingly, the latch members 266-272 secure the keyboard 14 to thetablet computing device 12 in the closed storage configurationillustrated by FIG. 1. The edge-mounting of the lock/release mechanism262 facilitates disengagement of the foregoing latch members 266-272from the closed storage configuration of FIG. 1. Any suitable latch andrelease mechanism is within the scope of the present technique.

[0069] As discussed above, the multi-attachable keyboard 14 and thetablet computing device 12 are dockable jointly or independently withthe multi-configurable docking assembly 18, which is further illustratedwith reference to FIGS. 10-20. FIGS. 10a-10 c are side viewsillustrating an exemplary process of docking the tablet computing device12 to the multi-configurable docking assembly 18 without themulti-attachable keyboard 14. As illustrated by FIG. 10a, themulti-configurable docking assembly 18 comprises an orientationadjustment arm 274 for the support section 28. The orientationadjustment arm 274 is rotatably coupled to the base section 30 via ahinge assembly 276, which may comprise any suitable clutch or positionalsecurement assembly for holding the orientation adjustment arm 274 inthe desired angular orientation. Similarly, the orientation adjustmentarm 274 is rotatably coupled to the support section 28 via a hingeassembly 278, which may comprise any suitable clutch or positionalsecurement assembly for holding the support section 28 in the desiredangular orientation. The hinge assemblies 276 and 278 also may compriseany suitable electrical conductor routing structure that preventsundesirable bending and fatigue of the electrical wiring extendingbetween the base section 30 and the docking connector 222 for the tabletcomputing device 12. For example, as described above with reference tothe hinge assembly 248 of the keyboard 14, the hinge assemblies 276 and278 may route the electrical wiring along the hinge axis, such that theelectrical wiring twists over an axial distance rather than activelybending at a point. This distributed twisting mechanism substantiallyreduces the wear and fatigue of the wiring.

[0070]FIG. 10b is a side view illustrating the tablet computing device12 in the process of docking with the support section 28 of themulti-configurable docking assembly 18. As illustrated, the presenttechnique ensures the proper docking orientation by guiding the user toalign the docking alignment slots 60 and 62 of the tablet computingdevice 12 with the docking guide tabs 232 and 234 of the support section28, respectively. After aligning the docking alignment slots 60 and 62with the docking guide tabs 232 and 234, the tablet computing device 12may be lowered onto the support section 28 into a docked configuration,as illustrated by FIG. 10c. Although FIG. 10b illustrates a pivotaldocking motion about the docking guide tabs 232 and 234, the tabletcomputing device 12 may be lowered vertically straight onto the supportsection 28. As the tablet computing device 12 approaches the dock mountorientation structure 220, the docking connectors 56 and 222 engage andprovide a communications connection between the tablet computing device12 and the multi-configurable docking assembly 18. As mentioned above,the dock mount orientation structure 220 and the docking guide tabs224-230 also operate to offset the bottom side 26 of the tabletcomputing device 12 from an interior bottom side 280 of the supportsection 28. The foregoing offset between the bottom side 26 and theinterior bottom side 280 accommodates the multi-attachable keyboard 14,as discussed below.

[0071] The tablet computing device 12 is securable and releasable fromthe support section 28 by any suitable lock/release assembly, which mayhave a release switch disposed on either one or both of the tabletcomputing device 12 and the multi-configurable docking assembly 18.Moreover, the foregoing lock/release assembly may comprise anelectrical/mechanical latch mechanism, which may be controlled via anautomatic or user-interactive hardware and software control system.

[0072]FIGS. 11a-11 c are side views illustrating an exemplary process ofdocking a tablet-keyboard assembly 282 of the tablet computing device 12and the keyboard 14 to the multi-configurable docking assembly 18. Asdiscussed above, the support section 28 has the docking guide tabs 232and 234 to facilitate proper docking orientation of the tablet computingdevice 12. The support section also has the dock mount orientationstructure 220 and the docking guide tabs 224-230 to facilitate properdocking orientation of the keyboard 14. The tablet-keyboard assembly 280is jointly dockable with the support section 28 by aligning the dockmount orientation structure 220 with the dock mount orientation slot 210of the keyboard 14. The docking guide tabs 224-230 also facilitateproper docking alignment by guiding the user to position the passthrough slots 212-218 of the keyboard 14 over the docking guide tabs224-230.

[0073] As illustrated by FIG. 11b, the tablet-keyboard assembly 282 maybe docked with the support section 28 by engaging the docking alignmentslots 60 and 62 with the docking guide tabs 232 and 234 and by engagingthe pass through slots 212 and 216 with the docking guide tabs 224 and228. After aligning the foregoing slots and tabs, the tablet-keyboardassembly 282 may be lowered onto the support section 28 into a dockedconfiguration, as illustrated by FIG. 11c. Although FIG. 11b illustratesa pivotal docking motion about the docking guide tabs, thetablet-keyboard assembly 282 may be lowered vertically straight onto thesupport section 28. As the tablet-keyboard assembly 282 approaches thedock mount orientation structure 220, the dock mount orientation slot210 of the keyboard 14 passes around the dock mount orientationstructure 220. The docking connectors 56 and 222 then engage to providea communications connection between the tablet-keyboard assembly 282 andthe multi-configurable docking assembly 18. In the joint tablet-keyboarddocked configuration of FIG. 11c, the keyboard 14 rests on the interiorbottom side 280 of the support section 28, while the bottom side 26 ofthe tablet computing device 12 rests on the keyboard 14, the dock mountorientation structure 220, and the docking guide tabs 224-230.

[0074] Similar to the docking configuration illustrated by FIGS. 10a-10c, the joint tablet-keyboard docked configuration of FIG. 11c mayutilize any suitable lock/release assembly. For example, thelock/release assembly may comprise a hook and latch assembly, afriction-based securement assembly, a spring-based system, a compressivefit between the tablet-keyboard assembly 282 and the support section 28,or any other suitable electrical or mechanical securement mechanism.Moreover, the lock/release assembly may have a release switch disposedon either one or both of the tablet-keyboard assembly 282 and themulti-configurable docking assembly 18. The foregoing lock/releaseassembly also may comprise an automatic or user-interactivehardware/software control system. Accordingly, the user may initiate adocking or undocking sequence by pressing a key, by dictating a voicecommand, by touching the digitizing pointing device 16 on a digitizerbutton or screen icon, by moving a mechanical switch, or by any othersuitable activation mechanism.

[0075]FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the tablet computing device12 docked to the multi-configurable docking assembly 18 in a portraitorientation. As discussed in further detail below, themulti-configurable docking assembly 18 may be manipulated to change theorientation of the docked tablet computing device 12 between portraitand landscape orientations, between horizontal and upright orientations,and between a variety of other storage and user-interactive positions.For example, the orientation adjustment arm 274 and the support section28 may be rotated about hinge assemblies 276 and 278 to position thesupport section 28 in a substantially horizontal orientation, which maybe particularly advantageous for user-interaction with the displayscreen assembly 22 using the digitizing pointing device 22.

[0076]FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the multi-configurable dockingassembly 18 in a horizontal configuration having the support section 28disposed in a portrait orientation. As illustrated, an upper rearportion 284 of the support section 28 rests on a top portion 286 of thebase section 30 in this horizontal-portrait configuration. A lower rearportion 288 of the support section 28 rests on the mounting surface forthe multi-configurable docking assembly 18. The multi-configurabledocking assembly 18 also may provide one or more flexible supportmembers (e.g., rubber pads) at the lower rear portion 288 and at thesupport interface between the upper rear portion 284 and the top portion286. Accordingly, these flexible support members soften the mountinginterface and provide a frictional holding force to secure themulti-configurable docking assembly 18 in the desired position.

[0077] As illustrated by FIGS. 13 and 14, the base section 30 of themulti-configurable docking assembly 18 has a plurality of expansionports, bays, and components for the tablet computing device 12. Asillustrated by FIG. 13, the base section 30 has a modular bay 290 for amodular computing component 292, which may comprise a floppy disk drive,a CD/DVD drive, a hard drive, a battery, a processor, a communicationsmodule, or any other desired circuitry or device. In this exemplaryembodiment, the modular bay 290 is configured to allow swapping ofmodular components, such that the user may select the desired componentfor a particular application. The modular computing component 292 isremovable and swappable with another component by engaging a componenteject latch 294, as illustrated by FIG. 14.

[0078]FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the multi-configurabledocking assembly 18 illustrating a plurality of communications ports andother device slots, such as PCMCIA slots. For example, the base section30 has a security slot 296 (e.g., a Kensington lock slot), ventilationopenings 298, and communication ports 300-312. The communication ports300-312 may comprise any desired input/output data ports, such as amonitor port, a PS/2 port, a USB port, a serial port, a parallel port, awireless communications port, a game port, a network/Ethernet port, amodem port, an audio port, or any other desired port. The base section30 also may comprise a variety of internal circuitry and computingcomponents, such as a processor and memory. In the support section 28,the multi-configurable docking assembly 18 also has a handle 314 and arotational adjustment assembly 316, which is pivotally coupled to theorientation adjustment arm 274 via the hinge assembly 278.

[0079] The handle 314 may be used to carry the multi-configurabledocking assembly 18 with or without the tablet computing device 12and/or keyboard 14 in a docked configuration. The handle 314 also may becoupled to an internal latch/release mechanism, which allows docking andrelease of the tablet computing device 12 and the keyboard 14. Forexample, inward movement of the handle 314 may trigger a release of thetablet computing device 12, while an outward movement of the handle 314may lock the latch/release mechanism to secure the tablet computingdevice 12 in the docked configuration.

[0080] The rotational adjustment assembly 316 is provided to facilitaterotational adjustment of the support section 28 and the docked tabletcomputing device 12. For example, the user may rotate the supportsection 28 between the illustrated portrait orientation and a landscapeorientation, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 15 is apartial cross-sectional side view of the multi-configurable dockingassembly 18 illustrating the hinge assemblies 276 and 278 and therotational adjustment assembly 316. As illustrated, a communicationsconductor bundle 318 extends between the support and base sections 28and 30 through the hinge assembly 276, through the orientationadjustment arm 274, through the hinge assembly 278, and through therotational adjustment assembly 316 to the docking connector 222. In eachof the hinge assemblies 276 and 278, the communications conductor bundle318 extends along the rotational axis of the hinge assemblies todistribute motion of the bundle 318 along the axis and prolong the lifeof the bundle 318. The rotational adjustment assembly 316 also minimizesmotion of the bundle 318 by providing a wiring slot 320, which extendsthrough the rotational adjustment assembly 316 over a desired rotationalrange, such as 90 or 180 degrees. For example, the wiring slot 320illustrated by FIG. 16 extends over a 180 degree rotational range.Accordingly, the rotational adjustment assembly 316 does not subject thecommunications conductor bundle 318 to undesirable bending or twisting.

[0081] As illustrated by FIG. 15, the rotational adjustment assembly 316is disposed in a rear housing 322 of the support section 28, such thatthe communications conductor bundle 318 can be routed to the dockingconnector 222. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotational adjustmentassembly 316 comprises a disk-shaped structure 324, which is rotatablydisposed in circular openings 326 and 328 in front and rear sides 330and 332 of the rear housing 322, respectively. The disk-shaped structure324 is aligned and secured within the openings 326 and 328 byring-shaped lips 334 and 336, which extend around the disk-shapedstructure 324 at opposite sides for a recessed and movable fit withinthe circular openings 326 and 328, respectively.

[0082]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional face view of the disk-shapedstructure 324 illustrating routing of the communications conductorbundle 318, a rotational catch mechanism, and a display orientationswitching/sensing mechanism. As discussed above, the communicationsconductor bundle 318 extends axially along the hinge assembly 278 to anend opening 352, which routes the bundle 318 into an interior portion354 of the disk-shaped structure 324. The bundle 318 then passes throughthe wiring slot 320, which extends around an angular portion of thedisk-shaped structure 324 such that the bundle 318 does not bend duringangular movement of the support section 28.

[0083] The rotational catch mechanism illustrated by FIG. 16 comprises aspring clip snap 338, which is springably securable in one of aplurality of angular orientation recesses within the disk-shapedstructure 324. For example, the illustrated disk-shaped structure 324has angular orientation recess 340 and 342, which correspond tolandscape and portrait viewing orientations (e.g., horizontal andupright orientations). Any other suitable angular securement mechanismis also within the scope of the present technique.

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the display orientationswitching/sensing mechanism comprises a switch engagement tab 344 on thedisk-shaped structure 324 and a switch assembly 346 secured within therear housing 322, as illustrated by FIG. 15. For example, the switchassembly 346 may include a rotational stop member 348 and an electricalswitch 350, which may be switched during contact with the switchengagement tab 344. Upon removal of the switch engagement tab 344, theelectrical switch 350 returns to its default state. However, anysuitable switching or angular sensing mechanism is within the scope ofthe present technique. In operation, the switch engagement tab 344rotates with the disk-shaped structure 324 as the user rotates thesupport section 28 between landscape and portrait orientations. Forexample, the switch engagement tab 344 and the switch assembly 346 maybe oriented such that the switch assembly 346 is activated at thelandscape orientation, while it is deactivated as the support section 28is moved back to the portrait orientation.

[0085] The display orientation switch mechanism also may comprise avariety of software and hardware circuitry to change the displayedviewing orientation on the display screen assembly 22 in response to aphysical change in the angular orientation of the support section 28 anddocked tablet computing device 12. For example, if the state of theelectronics switch 350 is changed in response to a physical rotation ofthe support section 28 and tablet computing device 12, then softwareand/or hardware may automatically execute a display orientation changebetween landscape and portrait modes of the display screen assembly 22.In the illustrated embodiment, the orientation change sensed by theswitch assembly 346 is communicated to the tablet computing device 12,which then initiates an automatic display orientation change toaccommodate the physical orientation change without user intervention.Although not illustrated, the present technique may use any suitableangular sensing or switching mechanism to trigger the foregoing changein the display orientation on the tablet computing device 12. Forexample, one or more angular position switches or sensors may bedisposed on one or both of the tablet computing device 12 and themulti-configurable docking assembly 18. For example, the presenttechnique may use optical technology, wireless technology, and/orelectrical/mechanical technology to sense a critical angular position,which triggers one or more display mode changes or operational modechanges of the tablet computing device 12. Moreover, the tabletcomputing device 12 may have an override mechanism or a configurationmechanism for the foregoing mode switching, sensing, and alteringmechanisms. For example, a user interface may be provided for adjustingthe display properties associated with the foregoing display orientationchange.

[0086] One or both of the hinge assemblies 276 and 278 of the dockingassembly 18 may have angular sensing or switch assemblies, such as thatdescribed above with reference to the rotational adjustment assembly316. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, an electronic switch 356may be disposed adjacent the hinge assembly 276 to sense an orientationchange between upright and horizontal configurations of the orientationadjustment arm 274 and the attached support section 28. Again, theorientation change sensed by the switch assembly 356 is communicated tothe tablet computing device 12, which then initiates a desired functionassociated with the physical orientation change. For example, engagementof the switch assembly 356 may trigger a change in operating systemmodes for the tablet computing device 12. In a horizontal configuration,the operating mode may correspond to a user-interactive handwriting modeusing the digitizing pointing device 16. The switch assembly 356 alsomay start a desired program, such as a personal diary or awriting-to-text conversion program. Although not illustrated, the tabletcomputer system 10 also may have a variety of other switch mechanismsthat trigger desired software or hardware features in response tophysical transformations of the system 10. For example, the rotatabledisk structure 192 of the keyboard 14 may have an automatic viewingorientation switching mechanism, which changes the display orientationto landscape upon interconnection or rotation between the tabletcomputing device 12 and the keyboard 14. Again, as described above, thepresent technique may use optical technology, wireless technology,and/or electrical/mechanical technology to sense a critical position,which triggers one or more operational mode changes or functions of thetablet computing device 12.

[0087] Various configurations of the multi-configurable docking assembly18 are illustrated with reference to FIGS. 17-20. In each of theseconfigurations, the tablet computing device 12 and the keyboard 14 maybe separately or jointly docked with the multi-configurable dockingassembly 18. Moreover, the various orientations may be switched manuallyor automatically via suitable switching/sensing mechanisms, which ensurethat the text/images are readable in the present physical orientation ofthe tablet computing device 12. FIGS. 17 and 18 are rear and frontperspective views of the multi-configurable docking assembly 18illustrating an upright landscape configuration of the support section28. Again, the switching assembly 346 triggers an automatic change inthe display orientation to a landscape display orientation upon rotatingthe support section 28, such that the tab 344 engages the electronicswitch 350. The support section 28 may then be pivoted downward aboutthe orientation adjustment arm 274 to a substantially horizontallandscape configuration, such as illustrated by FIGS. 18 and 19. Asmentioned above, this horizontal configuration is particularlywell-suited for writing applications using the digitizing pointingdevice 16. In this horizontal landscape configuration, a rear portion358 of the support section 28 rests on the orientation adjustment arm274. The rear portion 358 may comprise a flexible material, such asrubber, to provide a cushioned support interface between the supportsection 28 and the orientation adjustment arm 274. A foot member, suchas a rubber foot, also may extend from a rear portion of the supportsection 28 to provide a cushioned and relatively high-friction interfacefor mounting the support section 28 on a desired mounting surface.

[0088] As mentioned above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 9, the tabletcomputer system 10 also may comprise a protective display cover that maybe attachable to either the tablet computing device 12 or to themulti-attachable keyboard 14. FIGS. 21-26 are perspective viewsillustrating an exemplary protective display cover 360, which hasreversible coupling structures 362 and 364 that provide differentdimensional offsets to accommodate its attachment to the tabletcomputing device 12 or to the tablet-keyboard assembly 282. Although theprotective display cover 360 may comprise any suitable protectivematerial, the illustrated cover 360 comprises a flexible material havinga transparent inner window 366 surrounded by an opaque border 368.Accordingly, if the protective display cover 360 is disposed overdisplay screen assembly 22, the user may continue to interact with thetablet computing device 12 through the transparent inner window 366.Alternatively, the protective display cover 360 may be entirelytransparent, entirely opaque, or a may have a plurality of the separatetransparent windows.

[0089] As illustrated in FIGS. 21-23, the protective display cover 360may be hingedly coupled to the tablet computing device 12 by releasablycoupling the reversible coupling structures 362 and 364 with a side ofthe tablet computing device 12. The reversible coupling structures 362and 364 have intermediate U-shaped sections 370 and 372, which arerotatably disposed in hinge structures 374 and 376 of the protectivedisplay cover 360, respectively. In this exemplary embodiment, the hingestructures 374 and 376 are also flexible, such that the protectivedisplay cover 360 may bend flexibly around the edge of the tabletcomputing device 12. The reversible coupling structures 362 and 364 alsohave latch structures 378 and 380 and guide structures 382 and 384,which extend perpendicularly from opposite ends of the intermediateU-shaped sections 370 and 372, respectively. The reversible couplingstructure 364 also has an orientation guide structure 381, which isdisposed adjacent the latch structure 380 to facilitate proper mountingof the protective display cover 360 with the tablet computing device 12.For engagement with the tablet computing device 12, the intermediateU-shaped sections 370 and 372 are rotated inwardly about the hingestructures 374 and 376, such that the latch structures 378 and 380 andguide structures 381, 382, and 384 are positioned at an intermediatesection of the hinge structures 374 and 376, respectively. Accordingly,the intermediate positioning of the latch structures 378 and 380 andguide structures 381, 382, and 384 accommodates the relatively thinnerstructure of the tablet computing device 12 without the multi-attachablekeyboard 14.

[0090] The protective display cover 360 is releasably attachable to thetablet computing device 12 by inserting the latch structures 378 and 380into the external device mount structures 68 and 70, while the guidestructures 381, 382, and 384 are inserted into the alignment structures74, 72, and 76, respectively. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of theprotective display cover 360 releasably attached to the tablet computingdevice 12. As described above with reference to FIG. 2b, the latchstructures 378 and 380 are releasable from the external device mountstructures 68 and 70 by engaging the external device lock/releasemechanism 40, which is disposed on the bottom side 26 of the tabletcomputing device 12. Again, the latch structures 378 and 380 maycomprise asymmetrical hook members or other latch mechanisms (e.g.,unidirectional latches) to ensure the proper mount orientation of theprotective display cover 360. The arrangement of the alignmentstructures 72, 74, and 76 relative to the guide structures 382, 381, and384 also facilitates the proper mount orientation of the protectivedisplay cover 360, as illustrated by the top view of FIG. 23. Theprotective display cover 360 also has a latch structure 386 on anopposite side from the hinge structures 374 and 376 for securing theprotective display cover 360 over the display screen assembly 22. Thelatch structure 386 is releasably coupleable with a mating latchstructure 387, which is disposed on the tablet computing device 12.

[0091] As illustrated by FIGS. 24-26, the protective display cover 360may be hingedly coupled to the tablet-keyboard assembly 282 byreleasably coupling the reversible coupling structures 362 and 364 witha side of the keyboard 14. In this assembled configuration of the tabletcomputing device 12 and keyboard 14, the external device mountstructures 68 and 70 of the tablet computing device 12 are intercoupledwith the protruding latch members 184 and 186 of the keyboard 14.Accordingly, the latch structures 378 and 380 and guide structures 381,382, and 384 of the reversible coupling structures 362 and 364 arecoupleable with the keyboard 14 rather than the tablet computing device12.

[0092] For engagement with the keyboard 14 of the tablet-keyboardassembly 282, the protective display cover 360 is flipped over and theintermediate U-shaped sections 370 and 372 are rotated outward about thehinge structures 374 and 376, such that the latch structures 378 and 380and guide structures 381, 382, and 384 are positioned at an offset fromthe hinge structures 374 and 376, respectively. Accordingly, the offsetpositioning of the latch structures 378 and 380 and guide structures381, 382, and 384 accommodates the relatively thicker structure of thetablet-keyboard assembly 282, which now has the multi-attachablekeyboard 14 coupled to the tablet computing device 12. The protectivedisplay cover 360 is releasably attachable to the keyboard 14 byinserting the latch structures 378 and 380 into the interlock structures238 and 240, while the guide structures 381, 382, and 384 are insertedinto the guides 244, 242, and 246, respectively.

[0093]FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the protective display cover 360releasably attached to the keyboard 14 of the tablet-keyboard assembly282. As described above with reference to FIG. 9b, the latch structures378 and 380 are releasable from the interlock structures 238 and 240 byengaging the external device lock/release mechanism 236, which isdisposed on the bottom side of the keyboard 14. Again, the latchstructures 378 and 380 may comprise asymmetrical hook members or otherlatch mechanisms (e.g., unidirectional latches) to ensure the propermount orientation of the protective display cover 360. The arrangementof the guides 242, 244, and 246 relative to the guide structures 382,381, and 384 also facilitates the proper mount orientation of theprotective display cover 360, as illustrated by the top view of FIG. 26.Again, the latch structure 386 is releasably coupleable with the matinglatch structure 387 on the tablet computing device 12 for securing theprotective display cover 360 over the display screen assembly 22.

[0094] While the invention may be susceptible to various modificationsand alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However,it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remotely-activated sub-surface button for anelectronic device, comprising: a button disposed under a surface of theelectronic device, wherein the button comprises a triggering signalsystem communicative with an electronic pointing device.
 2. Theremotely-activated sub-surface button of claim 1, wherein the surface istransparent.
 3. The remotely-activated sub-surface button of claim 1,wherein the surface comprises at least one layer of a display screen. 4.The remotely-activated sub-surface button of claim 1, wherein theelectronic device comprises a computer system.
 5. The remotely-activatedsub-surface button of claim 4, wherein the computer system comprises alaptop computer.
 6. The remotely-activated sub-surface button of claim4, wherein the computer system comprises a tablet computer.
 7. Theremotely-activated sub-surface button of claim 1, wherein the electronicpointing device comprises a digitizer pen.
 8. The remotely-activatedsub-surface button of claim 1, wherein the triggering signal systemcomprises a wireless communication system.
 9. The remotely-activatedsub-surface button of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication systemcomprises an LED.
 10. A sub-display-screen button, comprising: aflat-panel display screen; a button disposed under an outer surfacelayer of the flat-panel display screen; and a signaling systemcomprising an activation signal for the button, wherein the signalingsystem is communicative with a digital pointing device.
 11. Thesub-display-screen button of claim 10, wherein the flat-panel displayscreen is communicatively coupled to a computer system.
 12. Thesub-display-screen button of claim 10, wherein the flat-panel displayscreen is disposed in a portable electronic device.
 13. Thesub-display-screen button of claim 12, wherein the portable electronicdevice is a laptop computer.
 14. The sub-display-screen button of claim12, wherein the portable electronic device is a tablet computer.
 15. Thesub-display-screen button of claim 10, wherein the button isuntouchable.
 16. The sub-display-screen button of claim 10, wherein thesignaling system comprises a wireless communication system.
 17. Thesub-display-screen button of claim 16, wherein the wirelesscommunication system comprises an optical communication system.
 18. Thesub-display-screen button of claim 17, wherein the optical communicationsystem comprises an LED.
 19. The sub-display-screen button of claim 10,wherein the digital pointing device comprises a digitizer pen.
 20. Thesub-display-screen button of claim 10, comprising a plurality ofdifferent ones of the button disposed under the outer surface.
 21. Thesub-display-screen button of claim 20, wherein each different one of thebutton comprises a different one of the activation signal.
 22. Aportable computing system, comprising: a tablet computing device,comprising: a flat-panel display; and a wirelessly-activated sub-surfacebutton, wherein the sub-surface button comprises an activation signal.23. The portable computing system of claim 22, wherein the tabletcomputing device comprises a processor, a motherboard, and a pluralityof computing components.
 24. The portable computing system of claim 22,wherein the flat-panel display screen comprises a wirelessly-interactivecoordinate system.
 25. The portable computing system of claim 24,wherein the wirelessly-interactive coordinate system comprises adigitizing pointing device.
 26. The portable computing system of claim22, wherein the wirelessly-activated sub-surface button is untouchable.27. The portable computing system of claim 22, wherein thewirelessly-activated sub-surface button is disposed under a housingsurface adjacent the flat-panel display.
 28. The portable computingsystem of claim 22, wherein the wirelessly-activated sub-surface buttonis disposed under at least one outer layer of the flat-panel display.29. The portable computing system of claim 22, wherein thewirelessly-activated sub-surface button comprises a wireless signalingsystem that is communicative with a remote pointing device.
 30. Theportable computing system of claim 29, wherein the remote pointingdevice comprises a wireless electronic pen.
 31. The portable computingsystem of claim 22, comprising a plurality of different ones of thewirelessly-activated sub-surface button.
 32. The portable computingsystem of claim 31, wherein each different one of thewirelessly-activated sub-surface button comprises a different one of theactivation signal.
 33. A method of forming a device comprisingremotely-activated sub-surface buttons, comprising the acts of: placinga button under a surface of an electronic device; coupling the button tocircuitry of the electronic device; and providing a remote signalingsystem for triggering the button above the surface of the electronicdevice.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the act of placing thebutton under the surface comprises the act of positioning the buttonunder at least one layer of a display screen for the electronic device.35. The method of claim 33, wherein the act of placing the button underthe surface comprises the act of positioning the button under a housingsurface of the electronic device.
 36. The method of claim 33, whereinthe act of placing the button under the surface of the electronic devicecomprises the act of integrating a plurality of different ones of thebutton within a portable computing device.
 37. The method of claim 33,wherein the act of placing the button under the surface comprises theact of preventing physical activation of the button.
 38. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the act of providing the remote signaling systemcomprises the act of coupling a wireless communication system to thebutton.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the act of coupling thewireless communication system to the button comprises the act ofadapting the button for remote communication with a digitizing pointingdevice.
 40. A method of interacting with an electronic device,comprising the acts of: moving an electronic pointing device across asurface of the electronic device; locating a sub-surface button disposedwithin the electronic device; and communicating at least one signalbetween the electronic pointing device and the sub-surface button. 41.The method of claim 40, wherein the act of moving the electronicpointing device across the surface comprises the act of navigating aninteractive coordinate system.
 42. The method of claim 40, wherein theact of moving electronic pointing device across the surface comprisesthe act of navigating a display-screen-surface of the electronic device.43. The method of claim 40, wherein the act of locating the sub-surfacebutton comprises the act of wirelessly identifying the sub-surfacebutton.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the act of wirelesslyidentifying the subsurface button comprises the act of triggering abutton indicator.
 45. The method of claim 40, wherein the act ofcommunicating at least one signal comprises the act of transmitting abutton activation signal to the sub-surface button.
 46. The method ofclaim 40, wherein the acts of moving the electronic pointing device,locating the sub-surface button, and communicating at least one signalare performed on a computer system.
 47. The method of claim 40, whereinthe act of communicating at least one signal comprises the act ofremotely triggering the sub-surface button using the electronic pointingdevice.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the act of remotelytriggering the sub-surface button comprises the act of operating avertical displacement sensor on the electronic pointing device.